MINNEAPOLIS —
McKenna Nachreiner claimed her second collegiate hat trick, scoring all three goals for the Augsburg University women's soccer team, including the game-winner with 1:11 left, in a 3-2 Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference victory over Saint Mary's in rainy conditions on Wednesday at Edor Nelson Field. The victory marked the first collegiate coaching win for new Augsburg head coach
Danielle Mendez.
THE BASICS
FINAL SCORE: Augsburg 3, Saint Mary's 2
LOCATION: Edor Nelson Field, Minneapolis
RECORDS: Augsburg 1-3-1 overall (1-0-0 MIAC), Saint Mary's 1-3-1 overall (0-1-0 MIAC)
HOW IT HAPPENED
Nachreiner twice put the Auggies in front in the second half. She gave the Auggies a 2-0 lead with 7:51 remaining in the game.
Megan Collins gained a loose ball on the left wing, and crossed the ball to Nachreiner, who delivered a rising shot from the top of the 18-yard box over the Saint Mary's goalkeeper.
Her game-winning goal came with 1:11 left to play.
Eliza Cory worked the ball to the offensive third and slid the ball right to
Ziviara Cordova. Cordova's entry pass deflected off a Saint Mary's defender to Nachreiner, who slammed the ball home from the six-yard box for a 3-2 lead, after the Cardinals had tied it 19 seconds earlier. Goalkeeper
Claire Smothers made four saves in the half as the Auggies withstood a series of Saint Mary's chances, and the Auggies closed out a 3-2 win.
The Auggies struck first in the first half when Nachreiner scored off a
Kaidin Camp assist at 2:23 for a 1-0 lead, scoring on a one-timer in front off the Cardinals' goalkeeper, following a service from the left wing by Camp. Saint Mary's generated chances after that, but
Claire Smothers made three saves to keep the Auggies in front. The Auggies added late looks from
Charlotte Sussman and Camp, including two saved Camp shots, and took the 1-0 advantage into halftime.
Saint Mary's tied the game 25 seconds into the second half. Makayla Clow drove down the right wing, centered a pass towards the middle of the 18-yard box, which was flicked by Hannah Bradley to a charging Lydia Hawkins for the goal. After Nachreiner gave the Auggies a 2-1 lead, the Cardinals tied the game with 1:30 left on a goal by Hannah Beix. Following a free kick from midfield by Ana Beckman, Kaylen Pray gained the ball past the Auggie defense, popped the ball over the goalkeeper's head, and Beix tapped the ball off a defender and into the net.
Nachreiner recorded a hat trick, including the game-winning goal, marking her second collegiate hat trick, and put all five of her shots on goal. Smothers made seven saves in 90 minutes, with three in the first half and four in the second. Camp added an assist and placed both of her shots on goal.
UP NEXT
The Auggies travel to St. Paul, Minn., to face Hamline University in MIAC on Saturday, Sept. 19, at 1 p.m.
